Fire pit assembly

ABSTRACT

An expandable fire pit assembly including a first and second planar member. The first planar member and the second planar member include an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end having a tab member, and a second end having a slot. The tab member of the first planar member engages the slot of the second planar member and the tab member of the second planar member engages the slot of the first planar member, thereby interlocking the first planar member and the second planar member together forming a ring. The fire pit assembly can also include a gas burner connected to one of the planar members and is attachable to a gas supply source.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication 61/178,130, filed May 14, 2009, which is incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of fire pits. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a portable fire pitassembly that is expandable.

Traditionally, individuals create a fire pit by digging a hole in theground or by creating a circle of rocks to surround a fire. The hole andcircle of rocks serve to maintain the fire in the enclosed space,prevent the fire from spreading, and/or protect the fire from beingextinguished by wind. Digging a hole or creating a circle of rocks,however, has a number of undesirable aspects. For example, digging ahole and/or creating a circle of rocks can be labor intensive andcumbersome.

A variety of campfire related devices have been disclosed that attemptto eliminate the undesirable aspects of creating a fire pit. Such knowncampfire related devices include portable metal fire rings forencircling a fire. These known fire rings, however, are bulky;permanent; have limited adjustability and versatility; are complicatedto assemble and disassemble; have components that are prone to damageafter repeated use; and/or are complicated to manufacture.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a fire pit assembly that isportable, adjustable, versatile, simple to assemble and disassemble,durable, and easy to manufacture.

SUMMARY

An expandable fire pit assembly including a first and second planarmember. The first planar member and the second planar member include anupper edge, a lower edge, a first end having a tab member, and a secondend having a slot. The tab member of the first planar member engages theslot of the second planar member and the tab member of the second planarmember engages the slot of the first planar member, thereby interlockingthe first planar member and the second planar member together forming aring. The fire pit assembly can also include a gas burner connected toone of the planar members and is attachable to a gas supply source.

An advantage of the present disclosure is that the fire pit assembly isexpandable, portable, easy to assemble and disassemble, durable, andeasy to manufacture.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readilyappreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading thesubsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fire pit assembly, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an interlocking segment of the fire pitassembly of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of four interlocking segments of a fire pitassembly coupled together, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a fire pit assembly having various numbers ofinterlocking segments and dimensions, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fire pit assembly having a squareconfiguration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fire pit assembly having a triangularconfiguration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fire pit assembly having a gas burnercoupled thereto, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the fire pit assembly of FIG. 7 connected to afuel source, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top view of a key hole of the fire pit assembly ofFIG. 8, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a key hole of the fire pit assembly of FIG.8, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the FIGURES and in particular to FIG. 1, a firepit assembly 10 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The firepit assembly 10 includes a plurality of interlocking segments or members12. In this example, the fire pit assembly 10 includes four interlockingsegments 12. It is contemplated, however, that any number ofinterlocking segments 12 can be used. The four interlocking segments 12are coupled together end to end to form the fire pit assembly 10 in theshape of a metal ring.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an interlocking segment 12 having a bodydefined by an upper edge 16, lower edge 18 and opposing first and secondends (or edges) 20, 22 is shown. The first end 20 includes a tab (ormale member, or extension, or the like) 24 and the second end 22includes a plurality of slots (or female members, apertures, holes,slits, openings, or the like) 26. Although each segment 12 is shownhaving one tab 24 and a plurality of slots, the segment may have anynumber of tabs 24 and slots 26, such as two tabs 24 and one slot 26, orthe like. Moreover, the tabs 24 and slots 26 may be on either end orboth ends 20, 22. The tab 24 is generally L-shaped and extends outwardlyand upwardly from the edge of either the first end or the second end 20,22. The L-shaped tab member includes an extension or lip portion 25 thatprevents the tab 24 from detaching from a slot 26. The tab 24 may alsohave other shapes and/or designs as needed and/or desired. For example,the tab 24 may have T-shape or hook-shaped design, or the like. Theslots 26 are cutout from the middle of the body 14 and extend from theupper edge 16 to the lower edge 18 of the body 14. The slots 26 aregenerally rectangular in shape, but may have other shapes, such as,oval, or the like. The slots 26 may be positioned in variousarrangements, such as, in parallel alignment with one another, or thelike. Moreover, the slots 26 may be spaced apart at variouspredetermined distances, such as, equidistant from one another, or thelike. Each interlocking segment 12 is punched or laser cut from a sheetor piece of material, such as, stainless steel, steel alloys, metal,steel, alloy, or the like. The segments 12 are generally planar andrectangular, but may have any suitable and/or desirable dimensions thatprovides for sufficient flexibility, durability and function. Forexample, each segment 12 can have a length of twenty-eight inches fromthe edge of one end 20 to the edge of the second end 22, a height ofeight inches from the upper edge 16 to the lower edge 18, and have athickness of 0.030 inches. Each interlocking segment 12 can alsoincludes a plurality of apertures or holes 28 that are generally locatednear the lower edge 18 of the body 14 and extend from the edge of oneend 20 to the edge of the second end 22. The apertures 28 are designedto allow for optimum airflow to enable burning of material, such as,wood, natural logs, faux logs, or the like. Although the apertures 28are generally circular in shape and have a diameter of approximately 0.5inches, the apertures 28 may have any shape and/or diameter. Theinterlocking segments 12 may also include various decorative laser cutshapes cutout from the body 14 of an interlocking segment 12, such as,deer, fish, camp sites, mountains, or the like. The interlockingsegments 12 may also include one or more securing members, such as,stakes, spikes, rods, or the like, for insertion into a surface (e.g.,ground, platform, etc.) to secure the fire pit assembly 10 in place andprevent the fire pit assembly 10 from moving. The securing members couldbe attached (e.g., welded, bolted, clipped, etc.) to and/or formedintegrally with the interlocking segment 10 such that the securingmembers extend/protrude from the interlocking segment 12 (e.g.,extending from the bottom/lower edge of the interlocking segment, etc.).Alternatively, the interlocking segments 12 may also include attachmentmembers (e.g., clip, brackets, etc.) for attaching to a surroundingstructure (e.g., wall, stonework, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 3, four interlocking segments 12 of a fire pitassembly 10 coupled together end-to-end 20, 22 is shown. The tab 24 ofthe second segment 12 b is inserted into one of the slots 26 of thefirst segment 12 a such that the second segment 12 b is interlocked withthe first segment 12 a; the tab 24 of the third segment 12 c is insertedinto one of the slots 26 of the second segment 12 b such that thirdsegment 12 c is interlocked with the second segment 12 b; and the tab 24of the fourth segment 12 d is inserted into one of the slots 26 of thethird segment 12 c such that the fourth segment 12 d is interlocked withthe third segment 12 c to thereby form a linear chain or band of fourinterlocked segments 12. The chain or band of four interlocked segments12 is then flexibly wrapped into a circle or ring and the tab 24 of thefirst segment 12 a is inserted into one of the slots 26 of the fourthsegment 12 d such that the fourth segment 12 d is interlocked with thefirst segment 12 a, thereby forming a fire pit ring 10. The diameter ofthe fire pit ring 10 may be adjusted as needed and/or desired byinserting the tabs 24 into the different slots 26 of a segment 12. Forexample, the diameter of the fire pit ring 10 may be expanded toapproximately 35.5 inches by inserting the tabs 24 into the first slots26 a of a segment (i.e., the slot 26 on a segment 12 located farthestfrom the tab 24 located on the same segment 12; or the slot 26 on asegment 12 closest to the second end 22 of the same segment 12).Conversely, the diameter of the fire pit ring 10 may be decreased toapproximately 21.5 inches by inserting the tabs 24 into the last slots26 d of a segment 12 (i.e., the slot 26 on a segment 12 located closestto the tab 24 located on the same segment 12; or the slot 26 on asegment 12 closest to the first end 20 of the same segment 12). The firepit ring 10 may also be adjusted to any other diameter by simplyadjusting which slots 26 the tabs 24 are inserted into.

Referring now to FIG. 4, several fire pit assemblies 10 having differentnumbers of interlocking segments 12 and different fire pit ringdimensions are shown. For example, fire pit assembly (a) includes twointerlocked segments 12 having a pit measuring approximately 16.63inches; fire pit assembly (b) includes 3 interlocked segments 12 havinga pit measuring approximately 24.94 inches; fire pit assembly (c)includes 4 interlocked segments 12 having a pit measuring approximately33.26 inches; fire pit assembly (d) includes 5 interlocked segments 12having a pit measuring approximately 41.58 inches; fire pit assembly (e)includes 6 interlocked segments 12 having a pit measuring approximately49.89 inches; fire pit assembly (f) includes 7 interlocked segments 12having a pit measuring approximately 58.21 inches; and fire pit assembly(g) includes 8 interlocked segments 12 having a pit measuringapproximately 66.53 inches. The diameter of the fire pit ring 10 may beadjusted (e.g., expanded, decreased, etc.) even further by simply addinginterlocking segments 12 or removing interlocking segments 12. Forexample, an even smaller fire pit ring diameter may be formed bycoupling three or two interlocking segments 12 together. It is evenpossible to wrap one interlocking segment 12 on itself wherein the tab24 from a segment 12 is inserted into one of the slots 26 of the samesegment 12 to still further decrease the diameter of the fire pit ring10. Conversely, the diameter of the fire pit ring 10 may be infinitelyexpanded by adding interlocking segments 12 to allow for an even largerfire pit ring 10.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a fire pit assembly 10 having differentconfigurations. Although the fire pit assembly 10 has been disclosed ashaving a generally circular, round or ring configuration, the fire pitassembly 10 may be assembled into other configurations. For example, theinterlocking segments 12 may be coupled to one another in aperpendicular manner to form a fire pit assembly 10 having asquare/rectangular configuration, as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, theinterlocking segments 12 may be coupled to one another at acute anglesto form a fire pit assembly 10 having a triangular configuration, asshown in FIG. 6. Still other configurations are possible depending onthe number and/or manner of coupling the interlocking segments 12 to oneanother. The fire pit 10 may also be used as a permanent fire pit 10wherein the user assembles the fire pit 10 in a desired location and maythen build a surrounding structure, such as, stonework, a deck, or thelike, to enclose the fire pit 10 and add decorative features therein asneeded and/or desired.

Referring generally to FIGS. 7 through 10, a fire pit assembly 10 havingan optional gas burner (plenum) 30 coupled thereto is shown. The gasburner 30 has a body portion 32 that is generally circular in shape andincludes a number of apertures or holes 34 located around thecircumference of the body portion 32 and serve as an outlet for the fuel(e.g., propane gas, etc.). The gas burner 30 is generally located in thecenter of the fire pit ring 10, but may be placed and/or coupled toanother suitable and/or desirable location on and/or in the fire pitring 10, such as, on the side, or the like. The gas burner 30 alsoincludes tubing or tube members (i.e., tube, hose, pipe, etc.) 36 thatare coupled at one end to the body portion 32 of the gas burner 30 andcoupled at their second end to a key hole 38 located on the fire pitring 10, such as, on an interlocking segment 12, or the like. Each endof the tubing or tube members 36 includes a crimp at a predetermineddistance, such as one inch, so that each end of the tubing or tubemembers 36 may be placed into a key hole (slot) 38 to thereby support afaux log set, or the like. The tubing 36 may be telescoping such thateach end may be extended and/or retracted as the diameter of the firepit ring 10 is adjusted. The tubing 36 may extend beyond the fire pitring 10 so that it may be conveniently and/or comfortably attached to afuel source (e.g., outlet of a propane tank), as shown in FIG. 8.Although the gas burner 30 is shown as being generally circular inshape, the gas burner 30 may be of any suitable and/or desired shape,size, etc. The gas burner 30 and/or hose 36 are made from stainlesssteel, but may also be made from any suitable and/or desirable material,such as, stainless steel, steel alloys, metal, steel, alloy, or thelike.

Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claim, the present disclosure may be practiced other than asspecifically described.

1. An expandable fire pit assembly comprising: a first planar memberhaving an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end having a tab member, anda second end having a slot; a second planar member having an upper edge,a lower edge, a first end having a tab member, and a second end having aslot; and wherein the tab member of the first planar member engages theslot of the a second planar member and the tab member of the secondplanar member engages the slot of the first planar member, therebyinterlocking the first planar member and the second planar membertogether.
 2. The expandable fire pit assembly of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second planar members have a plurality of slots.
 3. Theexpandable fire pit assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and secondplanar members have a plurality of apertures to provide airflow into thefire pit assembly.
 4. The expandable fire pit assembly of claim 1,further comprising a gas burner connected to the fire pit assembly andattachable to a gas supply source.
 5. The expandable fire pit assemblyof claim 4, wherein the gas burner includes a telescoping tube memberhaving a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the gasburner and the second end connected to one of the first planar memberand the second planar member.
 6. The expandable fire pit assembly ofclaim 5, wherein one of the first planar member and the second planarmember includes a keyhole for receiving the second end of thetelescoping tubing member.
 7. The expandable fire pit assembly of claim1, wherein at least one of the first planar member and the second planarmember include decorative cutouts.
 8. The expandable fire pit assemblyof claim 1, wherein the first planar member and the second planar memberare flexible.
 9. An expandable fire pit assembly comprising: a pluralityof planar members having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end havinga tab member, and a second end having a slot; wherein the tab member ofone planar member engages the slot of another planar member, therebyinterlocking the plurality of planar members together; and a gas burnerconnected to the fire pit assembly and attachable to a gas supplysource.
 10. The expandable fire pit assembly of claim 9, wherein theplanar members have a plurality of slots.
 11. The expandable fire pitassembly of claim 9, wherein the planar members have a plurality ofapertures to provide airflow into the fire pit assembly.
 12. Theexpandable fire pit assembly of claim 9, wherein the gas burner includesa telescoping tube member having a first end and a second end, the firstend connected to the gas burner and the second end connected to one ofthe planar members.
 13. The expandable fire pit assembly of claim 12,wherein at least one of the planar members includes a keyhole forreceiving the second end of the telescoping tubing member.
 14. Theexpandable fire pit assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one of theplanar members includes decorative cutouts.
 15. The expandable fire pitassembly of claim 9, wherein the tab member includes a lip portion thatprevents the tab member from detaching from the slot.